Technical Abstract:
Soil erosion process research produces knowledge and science used in the development of process-based erosion prediction models. This presentation will highlight recent progresses in basic erosion research that may impact future development of prediction models and erosion control strategies. These progresses include : 1) quantifying effects of near-surface hydraulic gradients on erosion; 2) developing a multiple-box system to simulate hillslope hydrologic conditions and evaluate sediment mass balance relationships; and 3) quantifying dominant erosion processes under different surface hydrologic conditions. Results showed that n increase in soil erodibility from the seepage condition triggered a transport-dominated sediment regime while a decrease in soil erodibility from profile drainage limited sediment detachment and enhanced deposition. These findings challenge currently used erosion model concepts such as: rill-interrill separation, detachment-transport coupling, and the existence of a single-valued sediment transport capacity. Impacts and future directions of the soil erosion process research and prediction model development will be discussed.